This week is the start of Jenman Island Safaris 8-day Madagascar agents familiarization (FAM) trip. This year a few of our agents and two of our staff members (Liz and Kim) will be lucky enough to explore Nosy Be and the magical islands surrounding it, the capital city of Antananarivo as well as some of the most interesting National Parks found in the north of Madagascar… aren’t they a lucky group?

Some of the highlights of the FAM trip include; a visit to Diego Suarez including a city tour and a drive to Montagne d’ Ambre for a night walk. Agents will be able to see the most amazing fauna and flora including a beautiful Montane rainforest, famous for its waterfalls and lakes. If that’s not enough they will also explore the tropical island of Nosy Be and enjoy a daytrip to Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba! Nosy Tanikely is a great place for snorkelling and diving amongst the most incredible sea life, including the magnificent & protected sea turtles in the marine reserve. At Nosy Komba agents will have the opportunity to see the black lemurs, as well as chameleons, endangered tortoises and snakes! Agents will also visit Ankarana which is home to the famous limestone karst pinnacles called Tsingy.

An important part of any FAM trip is the opportunity to experience the actual establishments that we love to use on some of our tours, either by staying at them, or by visiting them on site inspections. This year we couldn’t visit all the establishments but, agents will get to visit: The Amarina Ora Resort, Vanila Hotel, Loharano Hotel, Royal Beach Hotel, The Litchee Tree, Nature Lodge, Relais de l’Ankarana, and Chalet des Roses.

We hope all the Agents travelling to Madagascar enjoy their time…. Watch out Madagascar – they are on their way!

LIZ GETS READY TO GO TO MADAGASCAR – FEEL THE EXCITEMENT!

This month Liz (our Assistant Groups Manager) jets off with some of our agents on our FAM trip! We took a moment to have a quick chat with her about her excitement about exploring Madagascar for the very first time – something she has dreamt of for many years!

Jenman Safaris: So, how excited are you and how much are you looking forward to your trip to Madagascar?Liz Shaw: Madagascar has always been in my top three destinations to visit in the world including Zanzibar and South America, so I consider this opportunity to see one of them as a dream come true and I am really excited and can’t wait to go.

Jenman Safaris: You are going to be visiting three of the most popular destinations in Madagascar (Nosy Be, Antananarivo and a few popular National Parks in the north). Which of these places do you look forward to the most and why?Liz Shaw: I am looking forward to seeing everything I possibly can on my trip to Madagascar, but Nosy Be stands out the most as I am really looking forward to having some time to relax and maybe doing some snorkelling. I am also quite eager to see lemurs and take a hike in the famous Tsingy of Madagascar.

Jenman Safaris: Madagascar is home to many exotic animals and wildlife, some of which can only be found exclusively on the Island. Which animals in Madagascar intrigue you the most?Liz Shaw: Definitely ‘Lemurs’… I love lemurs and I am looking forward to seeing these exotic animals… and hopefully I get the opportunity to snap a picture with one on my shoulder. I would also love to take one home, but I don’t think they will let me!
It would also be amazing to swim along-side a giant turtle! I am also fascinated to get a sneak peak of a giraffe necked weevil as they are so strange looking and their South African counter-parts are always eating my vegetable patch!

Jenman Safaris: Do you know anyone you will be travelling with and which of the many fantastic accommodation establishments are you looking forward to and why?Liz Shaw: I will be travelling with a fellow Jenman colleague ’Kim Sykes’ who is based in the United States Of America. This is great as it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better in a more relaxed environment. The establishment I am looking forward to staying in is the ‘Chalet De Roses’ based in Antananarivo which has an Italian décor and cuisine – I include this hotel in many of the tours I arrange so it would be great to experience the hotel first hand.

Jenman Safaris: What is the one thing that you will be taking on your trip and cannot afford to be without when you depart for your trip?Liz Shaw: My camera so I can take lots of photo’s to make all of you at the office envious… oh and a bag of sour sweets & a snorkel!!